Motorola has announced that it has begun to roll out the first major update to Honeycomb in Android 3.1, which has been developed to address longstanding issues with usability, as well as features that were initially lacking at the launch of the tablet.

The update adds support for Googleâ€™s forthcoming Music Beta and Android Market movie rental services, the final version of Adobe Flash 10.2, support for USB Host functionality, as well as additional Bluetooth profile support.

The update will be delivered to uses over-the-air, via the Android software update functionality in the device. It is not clear yet what USB devices will be supported, but should support at least keyboard and gamepad functionality seen on other devices that are expected in the upcoming Toshiba Thrive. The Thrive has a built-in USB port, unlike the Motorola Xoom which requires an adapter cable. Hackers in March rolled out unofficial USB host support for the device, including USB mass storage mode, which enabled flash drives to connect to the device for the first time.

Google is required to share the source code for Honeycomb, and they are refusing, claiming they don’t want phone makers cramming it into phones before the quality is there.

Hence, I won’t be using any Android 3.0 or 3.1 devices until Google releases the source code. If you want to make the same decision, that’s your call, I’m not calling for an all-out ban on new Android builds.

I just hope Google quickly comes into compliance with open source agreements.

I’ understand your sentiment, I’m also under the understanding that some have already ported Honeycomb 3.0 on to rooted VZW Thunderbolds.

Earlier reviews on the XOOM, had indicated that 3.0 appeared underbaked and does not seem as ready, personaly I’ was looking forward to a Tablet with a fully functional ADOBE FLASH, out of the box, such as the RIM PLAYBOOK, however with a larger screen ( might still reconsider).
Perhaps with the release of the new SAMSUNG GALAXY II, things will improve regarding the HONEYCOMB source code.

Having said that, I’m also not aware whether the ASUS TRANSFORMER has working FLASH either, I’m staying away from MS7 on the otherwise close to perfect 12 inch ASUS TABLET, sadly battery life is only 2.5 hrs due to MS7’s power drain, maybe if one could install XP or RIM’s OS on it, however neither MS OS is TABLET designed/ ready until according to MS, the “all new” OS know as MS8!

I’m also staying away of the gorgeous iPAD2, do to lack of native FLASH support and the infamously manipulative iTUNE control.